#i tried my best to incorporate both themes

[marivanilla05]

Shinran Week 2023 | Day 4:

Black Knight & Princess + Flowers

[ghostfacesvalentine]

Day 11: Halloween Decorating with the muses - Multi!Muse x Fem!Reader

Pairing: Multimuse x Fem!Reader

Warning: Not many, a few mentions of alcohol

Type: Blurb

Request: N/A

Word count: N/A

Prompt: Halloween decorating with the muses

Notes: I’m fucking trying here. I tried to make it as GN as possible <3

Jason Voorhees: You would have to take charge of everything, Jason has absolutely no idea how to decorate even a pumpkin. He has fun though, especially seeing you so focused on making your vision come to fruition. When you noticed it was mainly you making the decisions, you try to incorporate his choices. “Green or purple?” You’d ask him which lights would look better wrapped around the frame of the front door. Jason would just have to point and even if you didn’t agree, you made it work.

Michael Myers: Similar to Jason, he wouldn’t have to take the initiative to decorate, instead he’d just stare at the option he’d like the best. It seemed like he leaned more towards red and pumpkins. He would be the best at helping you put the lights up. As you decorate with him throughout the years, you learn that he’s keen on the classic style of Halloween, black and orange, jack-o’-lanterns, all the fixings.

Tiffany Valentine: She would absolutely be the one to set up the place before you would, everything is on the way, sometimes you could even bump heads but since she’s in love, just as you are, she would make both of your ideas work. If you’re a fan of pinkween, she’s definitely on the same page, but pink doesn’t always mean cute, still a fan of blood and guts, it almost looks like a “my bloody Valentine” theme took over.

Billy Loomis: He couldn’t be more in love with you while watching you try to figure out what goes where and what looks best. Billy would be so dazed at times he’d only snap out of it when you scolded him about helping you pin the lights around the window. Of course he would help you, he’d be very involved in the decision making process. Don’t be surprised when he tries to scare you from time to time, making the skeleton prop jump at you or linger its skeletal hand to graze your arm when you’re not looking. Billy is a handful, no pun intended, but he’s always a great time when it comes to time-bearing tasks.

Stu Macher: Similar to Billy, he’s all in, though I would argue Stu is a tad bit more involved in the decision making process, decorating for Halloween is something Stu is 100000% here for. He’s in deep, going to different stores with you, far and near, you almost regret asking him for help. Of course it’s still fun, he makes the best of it, making you laugh with the props around the store, getting food in the process. It’s almost a three day project due to the shopping, the snacking and the actual decorating.

Patrick Bateman: He’s not very big on decorating for the holidays, even if you insist. If it’s in his apartment, keep it to a veeery minimal, unfortunately. Otherwise, as much as it makes you happy, it makes him cringe that his home looks like a Spirit Halloween store. I don’t think he could stand it for long, taking the decorations down the same day. Your place, however, he wouldn’t mind helping, depending on how many decorations and changes you’re making, he honestly may just hire someone to do it for you both.

Leatherface: Bubba is more than happy to decorate anything all the time, he’s such a delight when it comes to holidays. He’s more than willing to be the one who carries all the wreaths and does the heavy lifting. You can be propped up on his shoulder trying to get the lights to sit at the perfect angle and he’s over the moon. Not to mention, all the treats he’d get after being your brave “little” helper.

Harley Quinn: Also a great time when it comes to decorating, her acrobatic skills truly come in handy. Depending on her mood it can take forever, because she gets to horse around or if she comes in with a “let’s get this shit done” attitude, you both will be sipping PSL’s on the edge of the roof swinging your legs back and forth admiring the 12 ft tall skeleton at the top of your apartment complex. “Are you sure the manager said we could sit him on the rooftop?” You’d ask raising an eyebrow as she sipped the last of her latte. “Mhmm” the flashbacks of her pointing a gun to his face briefly made its way to her train of thought.

Poison Ivy: With wine and a charcuterie board, Ivy is more than willing to move some things around. Though her space would be still decked out in green, a little orange never hurt anyone. Orange lights and pumpkins decorated her room, whatever made you happy. Sipping wine and sitting pumpkins around the crevices as you listened to old Halloween music would be a constant for the first week of October.

Billy Hargrove: Billy never really cared for Halloween, his parents would decorate every so often but nothing crazier than that. When he noticed you were a little bummed out when he declined your invitation to decorate. Before you knew it, he showed up to your doorstep with orange flowers and a sweet sorry smile. You wouldn’t admit it, but he made you feel so much better. Just like most of the muses, he just followed whatever you asked him to do. Listening to the scorpions as you draped the spiderwebs across the windows, Billy’s drinking and smoking a cigarette taking you by the waist and spinning you around. He’s not much help, but he sure is a good time.

Steve Harrington: He’d be more than willing to offer his help, mainly because he wants to hang out with you. Though he’s not big on scary movies or themes, he’s more than willing to tough it out some for you. Putting up scary decorations leaves him unsettled and honestly a little nervous, but when he sees your brimming face and feels your arms wrap around his neck in gratitude, he suddenly forgets about the reaper with glowing red eyes pointing right at him. After you’re done setting up the lights, he invites you out to a bite and a scary movie, hopefully he can find more excuses to see you throughout the month outside of work.

Steve Rogers: You never get a complaint from Steve when it comes to helping you set anything up. Halloween is no different, in fact it was Steve who brought the topic up. “Is Y/N not decorating for Halloween this year?” He’d ask almost mockingly as you’d lay upside down on the couch next to him. A playful glare meets his boyish smile. “If only you’d be so lucky” This was Steve’s way of inviting himself to help you. Bonus points if you have a radio he can play classic music to, the night would end with him slow dancing with you to “I don’t want to set the world on fire”

Bucky Barnes: Similar to Steve, but he would wait for you to ask him if he could help you decorate. He’s not much of a decorator himself, especially given the fact that he hasn’t stayed in the same place for longer than a few months. It only gives him more of a reason to want to help you. He’d make little suggestions here and there, brainstorming ways to use most of your decor and make room for new additions. 100000% would bring out the tools if he needed to add a new shelf for your Halloween trinkets or nails to make the inflatables stay put. Just give him a few beers and kisses he’s yours for the whole afternoon to help get the tasks done.

Wanda Maximoff: 100000% would not hesitate to help you decorate, in fact decorating is her favorite thing to do. Halloween is one of the holidays she can be most creative in, so getting her to help you is no issue at all. Her and Tiffany would be the ones out of the list to make trips to the stores for new decorations and inspiration. Wanda would sway a little closer to the “horror” themed Halloween rather than a cutesy one. Her mind is ✨immaculate ✨ and if you posted it on social media, her decor and DIYs would pop off. Lots of spooky crafts and activities to last all month long with her.

Loki Laufeyson: This is a hard one, because he can totally be a brat about it, or he could be the most helpful one. He doesn’t understand the need to decorate, maybe a few things here and there but putting up inflatables, going shopping, it all seems unnecessary. Whatever makes you happy, he’s there for you. Add some nice wine and a few baked good and he’s more than happy to spend the day with you. Loki does acknowledge how the smallest things makes you happy and he thinks it’s cute. “Whatever makes you smile, sweetest.”

Cloud Strife: Doesn’t understand the concept of going all out just as Loki. Throughout time together, he begins to understand the little joy that decorating brings, therefore he never fights you on it. He’s the one doing all the heavy lifting, carrying around the pumpkins, propping up the skeletons. With time, he slowly begins to enjoy it, he will never admit it but you telling him that he’s a great help, heals something in him. After you’re all done setting up the lights and little bats on the porch, you can’t go wrong with snapping a few pictures of cloud with the pumpkins to keep in your journal.

Sebastian Michaelis: He’s already taken care of everything, sorry but hallows eve is most elegant in the Phantomhive household. Of course he would allow a few little trinkets wherever they fit, but nowhere near where the guests are expected to be unless he can use it to his advantage when Ciel is talking to a guest. It doesn’t take long for him to start explaining the meaning of the decor and where it came from, all with a slight demeaning smile at “all the silly little details the human race came up with”

Spencer Reid: Similar but different to Sebastian. Spencer is all in for all kinds of decor, but the nostalgic look of the late 50’s to 80’s would have to be his favorite eras so far. Your apartment would have all kinds of trinkets from various cities and random small towns he’d visit, but he always made sure to grab something pertaining to the holiday. Messy to others but completely organized in each others head, the only things you have to set out were the Halloween trinkets and maybe a few orange fairy lights. Whenever Spencer had the time to come home, he’d always make sure you both were able to finish up decorating and carving pumpkins. Halloween being both of your favorite holidays, there is always time for decorating.

Jason Todd: Kind of similar to Spencer, but not too much in the sense that Jason lets you do whatever you want. However Y/N wants the apartment decorated, it’s the only way it’ll be. If you want to go for a pinkoween he’s 100000% there for it. Jason wouldn’t hesitate to take you shopping, yes even if there’s no way that is going to fit in your apartment, he’s going to find a way if his baby really wants it. Like Bucky, he’s got the tools ready, just tell him where and you won’t have to lift a finger unless you really want to.

[arjudy224]

Three Times the Batfamily has been disgusted by your love life...

Dating is hard... but dating in Gotham... Oh Brother... Here are all the times the Batfamily has been involved in your love life.

1st time: Valentines Day

I've really gotta stop going for nerdy guys. This never ends the way I want it to.

"You know Eddie. You could have bought me dinner..." I call out to the rambling rogue behind me, "Scratch that... I can list off a hundred different date ideas.... That DO NOT INVOLVE THE BATMAN."

From behind, there is a swift crack followed by a muffled cry.

"I like flowers... I'm sure there was a way you could incorporate a riddle with those."

Footsteps draw nearer.

"I honestly don't even think you are trying. What does a child make, but never see? Come on dude... Work on on yourself. Restraints are fun, but this is ridiculous."

Suddenly, my restraints loosen. Stumbling to my feet, I swiftly turn around to see Batman's foreboding gaze staring down at me while my boyfriend lies face down 3 feet away.

"Are you alright?" Batman questions carefully noting my lacy heart pj's on top my push up bra. My diamond question mark necklace glitters in the darkness.

"Uh... yeah... Guess I should probably find an apartment where the Riddler doesn't live next door."

Batman sighs before patting me on the back. I am weirdly comforted by the paternal look in his eyes.

"That would be for the best."

2nd time:

Nightwing raises a pointed eyebrow before covering Robin’s eyes. Robin smacks his gloved hand away.

“Come on…. Y/N…” Nightwing trails off.

I interrupt him before this can get anymore humiliating. Being left to be eaten by a man sized Venus Flytrap after a date is not how I imagined my night to go.

“I do not need a life lesson; I have work tomorrow.”

Robin dutifully unties my restraints. He carefully looks anywhere else except my green lingerie.

Nightwing clears his throat. Rummaging through fallen leaves, he asks

“Do you know where she might have left your clothes?”

I shake my head before I start searching the drawers to the left of the nightstand. My sweaty palms create some difficulty turning the knobs.

“You know…” Nightwing continues leaning against the wall, “If you ever wanted to go on a date with someone who wasn’t going to be sent to Arkham… I’ve got this brother.”

My heart starts pounding. This is not happening. Robin’s jaw drops in disbelief.

“Are you seriously trying to set up Red Hood right now?” He gasps incredulously.

Both vigilantes listen to something being said into their ear pieces.

“Well, Jaybird. She’s prettier than anyone you’ve been talking to lately.”

My mouth gasps silently like a fish. Robin finally looks me up and down. He nods before agreeing. This child did not just....

Trying to ignore the hot waves of embarrassment, I finally force words to come out.

“GET OUT! I’ll find them myself!”

3rd time:

“Okay… but this time was not my fault.” I explain raising my hands in surrender. “How was I supposed to know that Two Face’s favorite song would be ‘22’? I have to make a living somehow!”

Batgirl tries to keep a straight face, but when she glances back at Red Robin… they both burst out laughing.

“I’m sorry….” She says trying to be professional, “This isn’t funny.”

“Uh huh…” I respond narrowing my eyes at them.

Realizing my mortification, their laughter slowly dies down. The teenage vigilantes grow as serious as possible.

“So, Two Face took you captive after you dedicated 22 by Taylor Swift to him?” Robin questions analyzing the crime boss’s office.

“Yes, I work at the iceberg lounge as a singer.”

“Where you ever an associate of Harvey Dent before his accident?”

My face goes red. This is not how I wanted today to go. I hate adding fuel to their fire.

“Something like that. I made some mistakes early in college.”

Batgirl bites her quivering lip to avoid laughing before composing herself. She checks her clip board left by Gordon.

“We’ll make sure GCPD gets back your… 2 themed underwear that went missing?”

I fantasize about those birds that slam their head underground to avoid conflict.

“I just want my computer. He can… keep the rest. I’m sure he’d like wearing it more than me.” I awkwardly trail off wrapping the robe tighter around my body.

Red Robin nods before muttering something into his ear piece.

“Okay, we’ll be on the search for that. I’m sure Red Hood can drop it off when he raids the lair tonight."

I start laughing before taking a step back. Putting my hands up, I interrupt.

“I can pick it up at Gordon’s office tomorrow. There’s… no need for… any of that.”

The two teens share a glance.

“Are you sure?” Batgirl inquires with a knowing smile in my direction.

I raise an eyebrow.

“Leave me out of this. I do not need to end up dead in crime alley because you guys thought it would be a good idea to set me up with your brother.”

Laughter can be heard in their comms. I vaguely make out “She’s got a point” in Nightwing’s voice.

With a reluctant grin, Batgirl shrugs. Before the vigilante duo leave, Red Robin flashes me an ornery grin.

“See you later.”

I respectfully flip them both off. Laughter echoes down the hallway as they leave.

[voxofthevoid]

I feel like I'm still digesting both 265 and 266, but if I could grind this shit into paste and inject it into my veins, I would.

There are half a dozen interesting and overlapping angles, but predictably, it's Yuuji's character development that's making me feral.

His attempt in 265 to find a peaceful resolution with Sukuna, plus the rationale he lays out, is both a beautiful farewell to his cog mentality and an organic development of the running theme of how Yuuji views and values life as well as death. He's fifteen years old and has already undergone horrors both mundane and supernatural, to a degree that would break most people. He has broken down. And now he's essentially synthesized all that pain and altered his worldview to accommodate both his own values and the reality he's facing. He still gives immense value to life, only expanded to better acknowledge that there's no objective measure of a life worth living. If anything, all the death he's witnessed (many in the last hour or so alone) has only reaffirmed his respect for life and living.

And I love how 266 further enhances what 265 presented. For one, it reframes why he tried to pursue a non-violent resolution with Sukuna. We know from 265 alone that Yuuji didn't really think it'd work, but he tried his best anyway. That was compelling enough on its own, but now, it seems that, more than offering Sukuna a chance to accept Yuuji's humanity (and people's worth in general) and thus show his own, it's about Megumi—that was Yuuji's last-ditch attempt to save Megumi because he's already resolved to not force Megumi to live.

I've seen discussions and wondered myself about how Yuuji will tackle the apparent selfishness of trying to save Megumi when he really doesn't want to be saved...and the answer is that he won't. Losing Megumi will hurt him; that panel of Yuuji and kid!Megumi is heartbreaking. But he's still choosing to respect Megumi's pain and his desire for it to end over his own desperate need for companionship. And it's fascinating how this doesn't contradict Yuuji's reiterated respect for life; it's just also incorporating a respect for how others would like to deal with their own suffering. It's not a development I was expecting, but I love how it's presented and tacitly supported by everything Yuuji's experienced and witnessed both before and during the canon storyline.

I've been worried, with how JJK's narrative quality is hit or miss lately, about Yuuji's characterization getting fucked over. And I won't really lose that fear until the manga is over, especially after the recent announcement that it'll end in 5 more chapters, but at least these two chapters display some brilliant character work and narrative quality.

[redesigningxmen]

REDESIGNING MIRAGE

That’s no mirage you’re seeing, that’s our group taking on Dani Moonstar, aka Mirage! One of the New Mutants from the 80s book, Dani has long been that team’s leader and served in different leadership roles. She’s most notable for being one of the X-Men’s most prominent Native American characters. Her identity is so central to her character, she refused to wear the standard New Mutants training uniform without adding pieces from her Cheyanne heritage.

Our team considered both Dani’s unique power - the ability to manifest someone’s greatest hopes or fears into realistic illusions - and her Indigenous background when redesigning her. Taking on a character so strongly rooted in such a specific - and non-White - culture meant approaching the design with respect, and of course always with an eye towards an exciting design!

Give all our talented artists a follow on social media!

Rake | @/pastelrake

"For Dani I drew on two prominent western themed pieces of media from my childhood. Firstly my father's favourite John Wayne film;  1965's The Sons of Katie Elder and secondly, the 1987 ridiculous children's cartoon BraveStarr. Both of these properties, whilst flawed, gave me a love of Americana/ Wild-Western aesthetics. With this in mind, I wanted to create a vintage-style western movie poster that centred Dani as the protagonist. In particular, I imagined her in the recognizable role of Sheriff, given her established characterization as a protector."

SSTArtwork | @/sstartwork

"I did two looks for Dani, one is more of a practical field uniform, with padded armour sections and oversized gloves. I've added an extra skill to her power set, as well as creating arrows and bows, she can now create a psychic vulture, which I envision swooping onto an enemy and ripping at the fears and drawing them out, or the desires, to varying effects. The second look is more Valkyrie based, with more opulent armour and headpieces harkening back to her initial days as a Valkyrie. In this state, all her powers are boosted and her bird becomes much larger, around about the size of a very large condor. She can use the bird as an aid in battle, for gliding, shields etc etc."

Alex Buckland | @/blueromanticss

"Dani's culture has always been really important to her so I tried my best to incorporate that into my design! "

Thwwip Stickers | @/Thwwip_Stickers

Dani is one of my top two most fave New Mutants and a character I’ve always loved in the comics my entire time as an X-Men reader ( since I was 6…I’m old lol)

"I had two Goals with this redesign.

I wanted to move Dani into a cyberpunk futurism feel…as I feel like it’s time for all the X-Men to be ushered into the age of CyberPunk.

I really wanted to grow Dani up. My goal wasn’t to do an entire redesign from the ground up, but rather take what she’s had and mature her. Dani, as well as most of the New Mutants, have a tendency to to revert or be written like teens again and it was high time that we start viewing Dani as the strong, mature, dynamic member of the X-Men she truly is.

I wanted to use style lines and shapes that evoked Indigenous Futurism without (seeing as I am not indigenous) just covering her in a bunch of patterns and regalia that might not be appropriate for Dani as a member of the Cheyenne Tribe. I wanted to really make her seem like a hunter while still honoring her indigenous and mutant roots."

[r3medialch8os]

so since u guys liked that i did this with remedial chaos theory i will now also be doing this for epidemiology.

the most incredible thing about this episode is that it is in fact Not merely an homage like most concept episodes are; it actually happens. a zombie epidemic For Real takes place at greendale. it's not a gimmick or a game or a way to frame the plot. the actual conflict is derived from the fact that people are zombies and the study group need to outrun them/turn them back. how often can you say that a sitcom incorporates a storyline like this and sincerely pulls it off? never.

the emotional tension in this episode is framed around troy/abed/jeff and the dichotomy of being a nerd vs. being cool, which respectively get attributed the qualities of caring about the people around you who have turned into zombies or wanting to run and escape from the zombies without trying to help. abed and jeff's costumes are both pointed out in the beginning receiving clear denotations of 'lame' and 'too cool to care' and therefore their positions in the conflict are cemented. the episode has a push-pull with troy being the moving factor, having to decide what he thinks is most important. he gets swayed in the beginning by two girls rejecting him over his costume and jeff mentioning how expensive his suit is. he changes from his ripley costume into a 'sexy dracula'. abed spends the whole episode trying to get troy back to his side, even saying "what defines a nerd? committing to an awesome halloween costume with your best friend?" troy is eventually 'turned back' into his nerdy self (perhaps a zombie metaphor itself, keeping in tone with the theme of the episode) because jeff cares more about his suit getting dirty than surviving the herd of zombies.

a crucial part of the episode is that it is soundtracked by abba music playing from the dean's playlist. now, who would i be if i didn't investigate significant music choices connected to scenes? first up and probably the most important one: s.o.s. is used in the background of a scene where abed confronts troy about changing costumes. troy insults him and walks away. the lyrics are: 'you seemed so far away, though you were standing near. you made me feel alive, but something died, i fear. i really tried to make it up, i wish I understood. what happened to our love? it used to be so good.' next; gimme gimme gimme plays right before the scene where chang and shirley hook up. another insane choice is at the end when troy is fighting the zombies. the whole sequence has mamma mia playing in the background Faintly. then when troy eventually gets to abed and has to fight him, the music comes in much louder with the lyrics: 'here i go again, my, my, how can i resist you?', which i think fits perfectly. the ending song fernando has the lyrics 'there was something in the air that night', both referencing the thermostat changing the zombies back and the fact that it was just an incredibly weird fucking night.

troy is dressed as ellen ripley and also kind of acts as the ripley of this episode. his journey in this as being the sole survivor and the one to eventually save greendale adheres to a common science fiction model where a life-threatening force is faced against the protagonists and they fall off in degrees, resulting in one person being left to mend everything. here specifically, it seems to mirror ripley's journey in alien (1979) as it starts with a crew that eventually gets cut down leaving only her. i thought that was really cool.

more alien tidbits, but the jumping cat scene is also inspired by it. jones the cat is an imporant figure in the first alien movie. in various scenes, members of the crew will go looking for him, then get ambushed by the titular alien and subsequently killed. it is a minor homage to the movie through yet another subtle reference. the bit is also parodying jumpscares in horror movies in general, and how they are used to cheaply amplify the tension. anyways, it's quite the multilayered joke because it also really works out of context as a bizarre comedic moment.

troy and abed's scene in the basement pays homage to princess leia and han solo's scene in the empire strikes back. the conversation in the film takes place just before han is frozen alive in carbonite by darth vader. not knowing if he’ll survive, he kisses leia, only to be torn away from her by stormtroopers. she says 'i love you,' and as he descends into chamber, han replies, 'i know.' an undeniably romantic moment, maybe one of the most memorable ones ever, is applied to troy and abed who have held reign over the emotional core of the plot for the entire episode. it's pretty special that such an iconic moment is given to them, i feel like the creators of the show wouldn't just do this sparingly. it also perfectly resolves their conflict as troy makes such a vulnerable statement and abed assuring him that he already knew, validating their bond once again.

more on troy and abed, it is pretty amazing realizing the emotional implications tied to how dire the situation was. everyone in this episode was under the direct threat of Not Surviving, and still abed sacrificed himself for troy. he knew this was for real. he couldn't be sure if they were going to make it. but i think he had enough faith in troy to aid in his escape. it's very touching. further, it's incredible that troy is willing to fight all the zombies (all his friends) but when it comes time to punch abed, he refuses to do it. he's struck by the force of their friendship, mumbling 'we're friends' defeated before eventually succumbing to his bite.

troy saving the school by controlling the temperature; nicely setting up his further plot with the ac repair school.

him being the one to escape and abed saying 'be the first black man to make it to the end' subverts the common horror trope of 'black dude dies first'. a playful way of keeping up with the horror movie theme of the episode.

also ironically this episode, which features the song mamma mia by abba, sets up a plotline in season two about shirley not knowing who the father of her new baby is, which is functionally the plot of the movie mamma mia!, a musical based on abba's music. probably a coincidence but a pretty funny one.

at the end when the army arrives, they ask the dean about witnesses. when he says he is the only witness, one of the guards reaches into his jacket, suggesting that he's pulling a gun intended to kill the dean and get rid of the witness. when they notice everyone in the school is still alive, they abandon this plan and go for 'scenario b'. kind of dark but i laugh every time that scene happens.

anyways that's all i could pull from my brain crevices for now. this episode is a genuine masterpiece, it will never ever get old and will remain to be one of the most unique sitcom episodes ever created.

[berenwrites]

Quiet - Stranger Things - Steddie - G

Rating: G | cw: none | tags: D&D, future fic, Corroded Coffin made it, Eddie lives, fluff

Prompt: Love is sitting in comfortable silence together doing their own thing (@steddieasitgoes)

A/N: Written for @steddielovemonth day 6. I love the idea of Corroded Coffin being a big name, but still being nerds at heart, so this is what I went with.

Also on AO3 | All My Other Stranger Things Fic

Quiet: But Far From Idle

Eddie tapped his pen against his lips as he tried to come up with a dastardly trap for the D&D campaign he was writing. He could use the laptop, but he’s old school and he likes to write things out by hand. It gave him a chance to doodle at the same time.

The fact D&D had made Corroded Coffin relevant to the youth of today rather than finding them via their music was ironic, but he was not arguing with it. It had been Steve’s idea to record one of the band’s campaign sessions and put it on YouTube with clips on TikTok because D&D had become popular again. The band were still touring, still releasing albums, but the social media thing had brought in a whole new generation of fans.

Their new album was nearly ready for release, so Eddie was writing a campaign that incorporated some of the themes from it. Part fun, part advertising. Their record company had been thrilled by the extra attention and had even planned time into their upcoming tour for filmed D&D nights to keep the fans happy. Writing D&D campaigns was now almost as important as writing new music.

Eddie was having a ball.

He glanced over to where Steve had the other end of their dining room table with various large pieces of paper spread everywhere. Steve had a pink hairband pushing his silver-fox hair back to keep it out of his face and his glasses were perched on the edge of his nose. There was a red pen behind his ear and a green one in his hand, and his tongue was poking between his lips as he concentrated.

It was all utterly adorable.

While Eddie planned fantasy, Steve was going over venue security for the beginning of the tour. Steve took the band’s security very seriously. They had a professional team these days to handle everything, and Steve let them do their jobs, but he always insisted on checking. Gone were the days when their only security was Steve in the corner with his baseball bat. However, Steve couldn’t let it go. It was a hang-up from the Upside Down days when they had had no one to rely on but themselves.

They had both almost died, so Eddie could very much understand Steve’s need to make sure those around him were safe.

Steve liked to go old school with paper and a pen as well, and from the looks of it he had found quite a few things wrong with at least one of the venues. The printed plan was covered in red notes. Eddie smiled to himself, knowing that nothing would ever get past Steve.

“Need anything, Sweetheart?” he asked as Steve changed pens while glaring at the venue plan right in front of him.

His husband looked up, blinked, and then smiled.

“No, I’m good, thanks,” Steve said. “How’s the campaign going?”

“They will not know what hit them,” Eddie replied with his best evil grin.

“They never do,” Steve said, glancing back down at the sheet of paper he was currently studying. “You should have a t-shirt made with the old hell-fire logo to make sure everyone knows you’re a demon,” he added as he circled something in red.

Eddie laughed as he lost his husband back to his self-appointed task. He took out his phone and made a quick note to ask Liz, his assistant, about t-shirts before focussing down on his notes again. Steve always had great ideas. It was one of the many reasons Eddie loved him with all his heart. He counted himself one of the luckiest guys on the planet as he went back to quietly planning how to put his best friends into mortal peril.

All My Other Stranger Things Fic

[tyrramint]

Happy Lockwood & Co. Big Bang!!! :D I had the absolute pleasure of collaborating with @The_Dreamer_Half_Alive (on Ao3 :) on her fic for the @lockwoodandcobigbang2023 event; set post TEG, it’s truly so lovely and heartwarming, and I had so much fun doing a piece for it! We very much hope you enjoy :)

Link to the fic!!!! (the horror of the night melt away) under the warm glow of survival of the day

(Closeups below the cut :D) (because I ended up making it too wide to be easily seen in full lol) (plus ~artistic commentary~)

(SPOILERS FOR FIC CONTENT)

Okay, so I tried to put a bunch of little easter eggs from the fic and just in general in here, so if you’re interested:

Alright, to start off, I was generally very inspired by them getting a record player; I thought it was very sweet, and I loved the idea of them finally getting to relax and hang out in the library (the lack of chairs, I know; I couldn’t figure out how to put them in without blocking people lol) and locklyle dancing, with the record player on in the background, so that’s what I took as the basis of the scene!!

We had discussed that the characters were kind of a combo of both show and book versions, so I tried to add a smattering and hints of both when doing their designs!

The record is, of course, an Ella Fitzgerald record as mentioned in the fic (the record drawn is her Souvenir Album)

Holly is wearing her engagement ring, and wearing shades of pink and cream because that’s what she wears at her wedding (although shifted in hue to better match the color scheme of the piece lol)

Everyone (minus Flo) of course has their white strands of hair (which is *always* one of my favorite details to draw)

Lucy and George bake in the fic, but I think I had just read the Christmas mini story when I was doing my thumbnail for this, so Kipps ended up being the one bringing in baked goods; however, the baking mitts are orange and monogrammed with George's initials because I couldn't let that slip by, could I?

I wasn't quite sure what to put Flo in, because in the books she never takes off her boots or puffer jacket, but I wanted to throw in some sign that she was living at 35 Portland Row and becoming closer to all of them, (and her close relationship with George,) so I let her keep the boots, but traded the puffer jacket in for one of George's plaid shirts :)

The chess game also made it in because of the Christmas short story, lol

Lucy's blue star jacket!! When I read the fic, I was planning from the start to have her wearing the jacket, so of course it made it in :) I wasn't really sure what style it should be, though, so I ended up with kind of an odd mishmash of designs, but I think it turned out working alright!

The sapphire necklace, because, of course

I adore that Lockwood wears his pink socks throughout the entire show (well, most of the time they're the pink ones ;) so I wanted to include them (and then gave Lucy blue ones to match :)

The chipped blue mugs that Lockwood brings to Lucy for her tea after she wakes up from nightmares are on the bookshelf, and I couldn't find a way to directly include the Earl Grey tea they have, but I made the tea bag tags grey in honor of it

The green glow is the ghost lamp outside because if I can find a way to incorporate cool glows in my art, I will (and also on a more narrative-driven note, symbolizing the past danger they've been through and how some of it is definitely still present, but they have each other to heal with and finally be able to have some simple fun with, and are now curled up in the safety and comfort of 35 Portland Row :)

And finally, a big theme of the fic is them healing and building a happy life together, so I just wanted them to all be happy for once, and hence I put in my best efforts to draw them as such :)

[cynicalstudy]

I’ve translated some Precure interviews from the 20th Anniversary Character Chronicle! This post is dedicated to Mahou Tsukai Precure. Information under cut😊 (Note: I am not a professional translator! There will/may be some errors, but I tried my best!)

~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~🧹~

Plain Text:

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1.“Cure Up! Ra-pa-pa! Diamond! Miracle-Magical-Jewelry-le! The Miracle of the Duo! Cure Miracle!”

2.The Precure Mirai transforms into. She meets Riko, a girl who can use magic and falls from the sky, wanting to help her find something. Batty appears, and they are attacked by a monster called a Yokubaru. When Mirai’s pendant shines, she becomes a Precure. Mirai is overjoyed when her beloved teddy bear, Mofurun, can talk!

3.A 13-year-old girl who will soon be a second year at Tsunagi First Junior High. She likes strange and interesting things and is very curious. Later, she attends the Magic School. Her catchphrase is “How exciting!”

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1.“Witchy was the first season in the series to follow a “magic” theme. The main starting point for both Miracle and Magical was “contrast”, to go with their matching “twin” theme.” (Next Quote) “The witch hat is a motif in all Linkle Stone transformations. Decorated with a headband and little jewels, it felt very refreshing!”

2.”To create a mysterious atmosphere, the accessories, such as bracelets and waist bands, were made to appear as though they were floating. In contrast to Magical, Miracle’s design was made to feel cute and fluffy rather than sharp. Her boots were given an angelic look. With both Miracle and Magical, there was an angel/devil idea behind both concepts. One major point of contrast is that Miracle does not have a big cloak.”

3.“Many new features arose from the concept of magic. Hence, we had to create a rich variety of styles for them both.”

4.“We asked Rie Takahashi (Miracle’s VA) for words of inspiration as Miracle. She stated, “Cure Up! Ra-pa-pa! I want to meet everyone! I learned the words of honesty can make miracles happen~” Takahashi-san believes both Miracle and Magical paired together is a lovely sight, making them inseparable.”

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1.“Cure Up! Ra-pa-pa! Diamond! Miracle-Magical-Jewelry-le! The Magic of the Duo! Cure Magical!”

2.The Precure Riko transforms into. While searching for the Linkle Stone Emerald to escape supplementary lessons at school, she meets Mirai. They are then attacked by a Yokubaru. When in a pinch, her pendant glows, and she and Mirai become Pretty Cure.

3.A girl who attends the Magic School. She is good at studying, but not at magic. She came to the No Magic World in search of a gem with great power. Her catchphrase is “Just as I calculated.”

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1.“Keeping in mind our idea to contrast Miracle, her design incorporates a cool atmosphere, almost a devilish-look. The fluffy hem on the cloak accentuates this idea.” (Next Quote) “Magical’s hair resembles a bat with its wings spread. The straight, sharp edges also contrasts Miracle’s fluffy feel. The boots are also straight with a V-cut too.”

2.“The off-shoulder look accentuates a feel of an older sister. And a fluffy hem was chosen to trick the viewer! It invokes the feeling of a mischievous witch~”

3.“With not much else to say regarding the design, we did select a look that kids would find cute, but still cool in Magical’s own way.”

4.”We asked Yui Horie (Magical’s VA) for words of inspiration as Magical. She stated, “Cure Up! Ra-pa-pa! These are the magic words in MahoPre (Abbreviation). When I said them, I felt motivated~”. Horie-san claimed that her favorite style sense of Riko’s was her swimwear, as she described it cute and “something I would wear too”. She believes it is different and a change of pace.”

Plain Text:

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1.“Cure Up! Ra-pa-pa! Emerald! Felice Fun-fun, Flower-ly! A blessing unto all life! Cure Felice!”

2.The precure Kotoha (Haa-chan) transforms into. When Miracle and Magical are in a pinch with a powerful Yokubaru, she appears and defends them. “Precure! Emerald Reincarnation!” is a special move only she can use.

3.A fairy girl born from the Linkle Smart Tome. After she goes missing, she returns all grown up. Because Mirai and the others took care of her, she inherited their personalities and mannerisms. She can also use difficult magic.

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1.“Felice’s design was started almost immediately after Miracle and Magical, despite her not appearing till much later. Since she is a fairy, she had to feel very different from the two witches.” (Next Quote) “She was given a short veil to feel like a goddess. A crown of flowers were given to add a divine appearance to her, along with the flower motif within her eyes.”

2.“Since braids were popular at the time, we decided to give her heart-shaped braids. Her design was made to show off her forehead, contrasting the original duo. Our sponsors consulted us about a see-through skirt, so we added a layer of green fluff beneath. There was much trial and error, but we arrived at her current design, which we felt was cute.”

3.“Originally, we wished for her to have sandals. However, with much of the focus as magic, we added the ribbons to act like sandals, but kept pumps on the bottom. There are fewer guard-like parts since Felice is more magic-oriented.”

4.“We asked Saori Hayami (Felice’s VA) for words of inspiration as Felice. She stated, “Haa~! It is Haa-chan’s favorite phrase and is incredibly versatile! It filled me with much motivation, along with being cute!” Hayami-san adores the flower on Kotoha’s outfit, and believes the skirt gives the costume a “light, fluffy feeling”. There were many flowers as well.”

[crimsonedquill]

Tumblr has shut me down 2 times now trying to send this. 3rd times the charm. Have a request for you. 🫶 What do you think the HL guys and gals would end up thinking/doing if they found out that the MC is a Legilimens when they have yet to confess their feelings? (Romantic and spicy)

MC being a Legilimens and finding out about HLC's secret feelings

Okay, so I ended up spending way more time on this than I anticipated, lol. I'm still finding my footing with this new format so I hope I did justice to your request 🖤 I decided to get a bit creative and tried incorporating a theme of each character representing a different sense (tasting, hearing, feeling etc.) though I kinda ended up dropping the ball with Imelda :/ Anyway, hope you enjoy 🖤

Poppy Sweeting 🦡

Poppy had found herself in a bit of a bind lately. She liked spending time with MC, and she was really glad to have finally made a real friend, but… was it normal to feel her heart flutter whenever they were close by, or feel hotness high in her cheeks when they flashed her a smile? Due to her inexperience with relationships, she wasn’t sure she was reading all of the signs right at first, but it slowly started to dawn upon her as weeks passed without her random bouts of happiness diminishing. Merlin, just her luck. The only human friend she’d ever made, and she had been stupid enough to fall in love with them.

She did everything she could to ignore her feelings at first, not wanting to ruin the special thing they had. Which wasn’t to say that it was getting any easier to do so – if anything, it was quite the opposite. Sometimes the boldness of her own mind would catch her off guard, overwhelming her with fantasies about kissing MC or wrapping herself in their arms. She would lie awake at night, picturing their lips in their mind – wondering what they would taste like.

It left her feeling increasingly desperate. The more she tried to keep her feelings hidden, the more she found herself unable to resist the pull of her attraction to MC. It was like a magnet, drawing her in closer and closer until she felt like drowning.

And then, one day, everything changed. They were walking through the Forbidden Forest, enjoying the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves, when she felt a strange sensation wash over her. It was like a gentle caress, a feather-light touch that seemed to brush against the edges of her mind. At first, she thought it was her imagination, but as the feeling persisted, she began to realise the truth.

They knew.

It was like a shock to her system. All this time, they had been able to read her thoughts and feelings, to see everything she had been trying to hide. And yet, despite the fear and uncertainty that bubbled up within her, Poppy couldn't help but feel relieved. She didn't have to keep her feelings bottled up anymore, didn't have to pretend that she wasn't head over heels in love with her best friend.

And then, as if sensing her inner turmoil, MC turned to her, their eyes locking in silent communication. Poppy could feel the intensity of their gaze, the raw emotion flowing between them. And then, before she could even process what was happening, MC leaned in and pressed their lips to hers.

It was like a dream, a fantasy come to life. Poppy's heart raced as she wrapped her arms around MC's neck, deepening the kiss with a fervour that surprised even her. She could taste the sweetness of their lips, feel the heat of their skin against hers, and she knew that this was where she belonged.

When they finally broke apart, both of them gasping for air, Poppy knew that things would never be the same between them. But for the first time in a long time, she felt like everything was going to be okay.

Natsai Onai 🦁

Natty couldn't explain why she was so attracted to MC. Maybe it was their loyalty, bravery, or simply their good looks. All she knew was that she couldn't get them out of her head, and she sometimes caught herself wondering how handsome they looked underneath all those clothes. Sweet Merlin, she should probably be glad her mother wasn't omniscient.

Sometimes it seemed like MC brushed a little too close to her for it to be a random mistake, but maybe it was just her feelings talking. At any rate, she didn't think too much of it. She had always been skilled at keeping her emotions in check, and she was wiser than to let personal feelings get in the way of treasured friendships.

Which wasn’t to say that MC didn’t seem keen on testing her limits. Their invitation to go for an evening swim in the lake appeared innocent enough at first, yet she couldn't help but feel that something was different about the way MC looked at her tonight. Then again, she wasn't making any effort to be subtle as she watched MC undress and slip into their swimwear, her ogling earning a smile from them. “See anything you like?” they asked.

“The lake is looking very beautiful tonight,” she taunted back with a grin of her own.

“You're right,” MC said, turning towards the lake. "It's just begging for something more, don't you think?”

Before she knew what was happening, MC threw off their swimwear and stormed into the lake, the splashing water obscuring their nude form. They turned around and called out to her, “Come on in, Natty! It's delightful!”

Natty chuckled to herself as she stood up and waded into the water to where MC's head was floating. “You're absolutely mad, you know that?” she said.

“And I know you love it,” MC responded, wiggling their eyebrows at her. She laughed. MC always knew how to make her laugh. Again, she looked at them, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks as she realised they were completely bare under the surface.

MC swam closer to her. Natty tried to keep her gaze fixed on their eyes, but her eyes kept darting down to their toned chest and strong arms. She could feel her heart racing as MC reached out and brushed a stray lock of hair out of her face.

“You know, Natty,” MC said, their voice low and husky, “I've been wanting to tell you something for a while now.”

Natty felt a flutter in her stomach as she looked at them, waiting for them to continue.

“I can't deny that I feel something for you,” MC said, their eyes locked onto hers. "Something more than just friendship. And – I know you feel the same way.”

Natty's heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

“I do,” she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur.

Without another word, MC closed the distance between them, pressing their lips to hers in a searing kiss. Natty wrapped her arms around MC's neck, pulling them closer as she deepened the kiss.

As they pulled away, MC grinned at her. “I knew you couldn't resist me,” they said, their eyes twinkling with amusement.

Natty rolled her eyes, but she couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face. “You are just full of secrets, are you not?”

Imelda Reyes 🐍

Fuck! That was the fourth time this week she’d dropped the ball during Quidditch practice, both literally and figuratively. She didn’t know what was wrong with herself – was she coming down with something? Usually she always managed to stay laser-focused, but lately it was as if she couldn’t maintain concentration for more than five seconds before her thoughts started drifting off. She angrily landed in the grass of the pitch, ripping off her arm guards as she stomped towards the changing room.

“Imelda –” a voice called out, and she rolled her eyes as MC caught up with her. “Hey,” they said, “good game.”

“Yeah, fine, gloat all you want,” she snapped back at them. “Easy to kick someone when they’re down.”

MC chuckled. “You’re too hard on yourself. Everyone has their bad days.”

“Well, I don’t.” she huffed. “Now, don’t you have someplace else to be?”

She kicked the door of the changing rooms open and started taking off her robe. MC simply leaned against the doorpost, unbothered as ever. She didn’t know whether to consider their tolerance for her outbursts a virtue or a curse.

“I just mean to tell you, you’re only human.” MC said. “Come on Imelda, you don’t have anything to prove to anyone here –”

“Oh, I suppose you know so bloody well,” she scoffed. “I bet you think you know my every hope and desire, don’t you?”

“Well, as a matter of fact –”

Imelda pulled off her gloves and threw them in the corner with a force that made MC flinch. “You’re not funny.”

“I wasn’t trying to be,” MC said. “I just… well, I didn’t want to embarrass you, considering… I know I am the one that’s been distracting you lately.”

She frowned at them, but her reaction was a lot less severe than it could have been, and she knew it. “Clearly that Bludger did a lot more damage to your skull than I thought.”

“Oh Imelda,” MC chuckled, shaking their head as they smiled. “I may not know as much about Quidditch as you do, but I’m fairly certain my stamina in bed has nothing to do with it.”

To her credit, she didn’t lose her composure – didn’t even start blushing. She just stood there, cocking an eyebrow at them.

“I must admit it’s a bit flattering, all these unsavoury thoughts you have about me,” MC continued as they stepped into the room. “I might even –”

They stopped as Imelda suddenly stepped up to them, keeping them trapped in her icy gaze. “I don’t know how you know, and frankly, I don’t care.” she said, gripping the hem of their robe. “I assume you know what I want right now?”

MC nodded slowly.

“Good.” A smirk began tugging at her lips. “I think I’m beginning to appreciate this efficiency.”

Sebastian Sallow 🐍

“Seriously, MC, a Stunner?” taunted Sebastian as he easily deflected MC’s charm. “You can do better than that!”

“Just keep talking, Sallow,” MC chuckled, hunching forward to catch their breath. “You’re just making it easier for me.”

They attempted another spell, which he parried with ease. He couldn’t help but chuckle as he watched MC stumble around the duelling chamber. Their persistence was endearing, and he enjoyed spending time with them, even if it was only to knock them down a peg whenever he wanted.

After a few more fumbled attempts by MC, Sebastian decided to retaliate. He launched a spell of his own against them, which knocked them off their feet. MC yelped as they fell and then burst out in laughter, the bright sound echoing through the chamber.

I wonder how loud they can be.

He blinked, slightly taken aback by the brazenness of his own thought. A blush soon followed when he was struck by the realisation. It couldn’t be, right? He’d never viewed MC that way. An obnoxious loudmouth, that’s all they’d ever been to him –

I wonder how far I can push them if I have my way. I bet they’re a screamer.

Confused, he failed to see MC readying for another attack, and without warning he was suddenly knocked back, landing squarely on his ass. When he pushed himself back up, he noticed MC walking towards them with a smirk on their face.

“That was plain luck,” he scoffed as he stood up. “You only got me because I lost my focus for a moment.”

“I know,” MC responded. “I couldn’t help but notice you were suddenly very distracted by something.”

He cocked an eyebrow at them. How did they – but no, that was impossible. They were probably just bluffing, as usual.

“Sounds like you admit you can’t win in a fair fight,” he retorted.

“I think it’s time I made a confession,” MC said as they took another step towards him. “What if I told you I have let you win all this time?”

“Oh, have you now?”

“I can already tell which spells you’re thinking of before you even cast them,” MC explained, the smirk still not leaving their face. “How else would I have known you were going to use Levioso to taunt me just now?”

Sebastian could feel the colour leaving his face. How did he not… How long had they…?

MC took another step, closing the gap between them. “Long enough,” they said, their lips hovering close to his. “You know, Sallow, there are some other things you might not know about me yet. Would you care to find out?”

God yes, he thought, as their lips smashed together and MC’s mouth opened ever so slightly, their moaning sounding like music to his ears.

Ominis Gaunt 🐍

Ominis wasn’t easily impressed. It was more out of necessity than anything, considering he was mostly living through his senses – he simply couldn’t allow himself to get overwhelmed, lest he ended up losing control. He’d made peace with it a long time ago, finding that being impervious to his emotions was a lot easier than embracing them.

Which didn’t mean he was prepared for the enigma that was MC.

He noticed something was off when he started paying more attention to their presence in the corridors. It wasn’t really strange at first, as he was accustomed to internalising people’s scents and sounds to recognise them, but then MC started to occupy his mind even when they weren’t physically present. The lovely scent of their hair and the melodic sound of their voice were like colours on his mental canvas, and he savoured them whenever he could.

But after some time, even that wasn’t enough. For the first time since he could remember, Ominis felt a need – a deep wanting to experience MC beyond scent or sound. He wanted to feel them under his fingertips, the delicate touch of their skin, which he imagined to be ever so smooth and silky, like a freshly washed cloth.

There were times when he considered confessing his feelings to them. But every time fear would hold him back – of rejection, of these strange, intense emotions he didn’t have any experience with. Making matters worse were his suspicions that MC was onto something – to others it would have been barely noticeable, but for him it wasn’t hard to pick up on the subtle nuances in their voice, the way they laughed whenever they spoke to him.

One day, MC invited him for a walk along the lake. He could feel something stir within him as they held his arm to guide him, their hands so close to touching… but he forced himself to keep his emotions in check.

“It must be so strange, not knowing what everyone around you looks like,” MC spoke up at some point. “How do you even tell them apart?”

“I find that it helps to assign them textures based on their traits,” Ominis answered. “Take Sebastian – he must be rock-solid considering how thick his skull is.”

MC chuckled. “I suppose that makes sense. How do you imagine me?”

Ominis hesitated for a moment, trying to think of something to say that wouldn’t immediately betray his true feelings. “I think you would be rough on the outside,” he finally said. “But inside, you would feel smooth, and warm – like a dragon egg.”

Merlin, he must have taken a temporary leave from his senses to be talking like that. He could feel MC bringing them to a halt. “MC –” 

“Ominis,” they interrupted him. “It’s all right. You don’t have to say anything.”

Hot lava burned in his chest. Did they know? But how? His breath hitched in his throat as MC took his hand. They gently kissed all of his fingers before bringing him down – he practically melted away at the touch of their bare skin, warm and soft, more so than he had ever dared to dream of.

“Feel me,” MC said, and he needed no more.

[alwayslurkinginthebackground]

The Competition - A Pedrotober Drabble

Day Two of Pedrotober: Kieran Bromance Pedrotober Hosted by @norththelemon and @alyssamariag. View the full prompt list HERE and view my entire Pedrotober drabble catalog HERE. Pairing: Mr. Ben x f!reader

Rating: G for Genuinely this will melt you into a puddle.

Word Count: 1752

a/n: I love Mr. Ben. I have no idea why I didn't write for him sooner, but when I realized I'd have to come up with not only a new OC played by Kieran in a Pedroverse role and a situation in which the two could face off, there was no other logical choice. Fancams at the ready!

It's your favorite time of the year. It's not because of the cozy vibes or the pumpkin spice lattes. Not for the crisp breeze greeting you each morning or the horror movies watched late into the night. It's not even because of the hilariously massive skeletons in your neighbor's front yard, changing daily with morally questionable positions.

No, autumn is your favorite for one reason and one reason alone: the wall competition.

It's unclear why it originally started, but a list of winners dates back to the 1950s. The original challenge concept was simple: whichever teacher could create the best display on the wall outside their classroom each fall won, and somewhere along the line it had become engrained in the culture of your high school.

As you stroll through the front doors of the school you cast a glance at Nancy, the high school secretary. She jumps up from her desk, hurrying around the counter to join you as you head toward your classroom. "Do you think they've started?" she questions breathlessly as her heels click double time to yours.

You nod. "Of course they've started. There's absolutely no way they haven't." You make a quick stop at your classroom to drop your bag and jacket before rejoining Nancy in the hallway, the two of you changing course to the science wing. "Do you think they'll have themes again this year?"

"When don't they?" Nancy chuckles. "I heard Noah invested in a smell machine this year," she informs you, and your eyebrows raise in surprise. Not that it should surprise you. The competition grows more elaborate every year.

"There's no way it can beat the fog machine," you point out, referring to Ben's science-focused addition of a class-made fog element to his graveyard-inspired display last year. The entire thing had been his response to Noah's cookies from the previous autumn, an experiment for his class that showcased the practical applications of chemistry. Both instances were just the beginning of a growing list of insane attempts at one-upping each other, which had started with Ben creating an incredibly artistic wall that incorporated real fall leaves in his first year. You found out later that he'd had to climb the first tree that turned to carefully collect each of the hundreds of leaves, but the effort had been worth it. Of course, it also jumpstarted a legendary rivalry that was the highlight of the competition each year.

The sound of staplers echoes as you approach the science hall, and you arrive to find a colorful array of paper lining the floor. On one side is Ben, his patterned tie long discarded and the top buttons of his shirt popped open to combat the thick air in the hall. On the other wall is Noah, his hair disheveled like he's been running his hands through it as he stares at the canvas in front of him.

You and Nancy pause, crossing your arms as you watch the two of them focus intently on their individual projects. "Getting a head start?"

Ben turns immediately, the corners of his lips turning up the second he spots you. Noah turns too, rolling his eyes as his adversary moves to press a kiss to your forehead. "I still don't think it's fair that your girlfriend is one of the judges," he quips before turning back to his display and stapling up a thick piece of black paper.

"Listen, I couldn't convince her to be impartial if I tried," Ben returns from beside you, his arm slinging around your waist as he pulls you closer. "Unless I can change that this year?" he whispers against your ear.

You push him back toward his wall playfully, "try again, Mr. Ben." Nancy giggles from beside you as your boyfriend returns to his display. Neither wall is easy to picture this early on, especially since their mess cluttering the hallway looks like an equal mix of spooky scary and aesthetic autumn, but you know already that this year's competition is shaping up to be one for the record books.

You barely see your boyfriend as the week progresses, not that you expected to. In the week leading up to judging, Ben always spent every last second in the hallway outside his classroom. You missed having him across from you at dinner and in your bed more often than not, but if there was one thing that you were serious about, it was maintaining your unbiased opinion in the yearly competition. Even if it did mean that the two of you had to pause your rewatch of Succession.

Friday comes quickly though, and as you walk the halls with your fellow judges, a group of faculty and selected students, there are a wealth of competitors to consider. Not that they really stood a chance.

The history wing went with their usual theme of an Egyptian display inspired by The Mummy, and your fellow English teachers swapped out their standard Edgar Allen Poe inspired display for one featuring Hamlet. Even the music department had gotten involved this time around, putting together a show-stopping creation that belted out numbers from Little Shop of Horrors as a life-like Audrey II took center stage.

But as you walk toward the science hallway, you can already smell the sweet scent of pumpkin as it wafts in your direction. You assume it's part of Noah's display, per Nancy's note about a smell-machine, but it turns out that Ben has butchered the pumpkins he's started with his class that spring and turned them all into pie, which is being handed out piece by piece to eager students. The pumpkins he'd guttered surround him, and a 3D scarecrow on the wall defends the patch from little mobiles of crows hanging from the ceiling tiles above. His face lights up when he sees you, and you can't help but laugh at the David Pumpkins tie he's wearing to complete the theme.

However, across the hall, Noah has foregone his attempt at filling the hall with delightful scents and has instead created what appears to be an actual demogorgon outside his classroom. He's standing alongside his proud students, who apparently created the oozing slime that's covering the deformed body. It runs down the wall and is collected, somehow, and recycled to run through the display again. It's unlike anything you've ever seen, unless you count the terrifying Alien audio-animatronic they used to have at Disney World.

A quick glance at your fellow judges confirms what you already know. Ben has lost. As delicious as the pumpkin pie looks, there's no way he can compete with the literal monster that Noah has developed. You offer your boyfriend a soft smile, trying to convey to him the undesirable outcome of the competition for him this year, but he doesn't seem to miss a beat as he continues to hand out pie.

The official judging process takes only a few minutes because you always save the science wing for last, and then you're back, decorated pumpkin trophy in hand. You wait as everyone gathers around you to announce the winner. Ben and Noah stand side by side in the lineup of teachers, playfully elbowing each other until Noah's name falls from your lips.

He rushes toward you, accepting the pumpkin from your hands and immediately turning to give his customary acceptance speech. "First off, I'd like to thank my incredible students, who put just as much time and thought into the wall as I did this year. I couldn't have done it without you. And second, I'd just like to say suck it, Ben."

Everyone laughs, and you have half a mind to remind your colleague that you should be setting a good example for the kids surrounding you, but everyone knows it's in good fun, and the chemistry teacher immediately moves to shake hands with Ben.

The crowd begins to disperse, some of them going to grab pie, others to take a selfie with the demogorgon, but you stand and study your boyfriend for a moment, tilting your head as you try to read his expression. For someone who just lost the most important competition of his year, he still seems rather...happy.

"You seem oddly accepting of Noah's triumph this year," you note as you make your way over to him.

"All is fair in love and autumn wall competitions. He really created a masterpiece this time," Ben admits, his arms winding around you in a much more public display of affection than you're used to from him. You itch to pull away as you start to imagine the fancams being filmed of the two of you right now, but he holds you tight against him. "Plus, he managed to do what I asked him to."

"What?" you ask quickly, looking up at him with confusion laced in your eyes. "What do you mean?"

Ben grins. "I asked him to come up with something so distracting that you wouldn't fully look at my wall until after judging was finished.

Your eyes fall back on the pumpkins lining the wall behind him. Some of them are carved, and for the first time you notice the shapes he's sculpted into them. Under your breath, you start to spell out the words.

"W. I. L. L. Y. O. U. M. A."

You stop.

"Ben?" you look up at him, voice quiet, and you're aware now more than ever that cameras are definitely trained on you.

He moves swiftly, dropping to a knee in front of you as he pulls a ring from his pocket. "What do you say, sweetheart? Care to design walls with me for the rest of our lives?"

The crowd that's gathered around you is filled with excited chatter, and you just barely catch Noah's smile from near his classroom. When your eyes land back on Ben, you start to cry, some kind of gut reaction that has you pulling him up to wrap your arms around his neck as you press a kiss to his lips. Fancams be damned.

"Is that a yes?" he asks when you finally let him go.

"It's a yes. And Nancy?" you ask, turning to the secretary who is crying harder than you are, "I think I'm going to have to resign as a judge." Ben guides you to look back at him as he slips the ring on your finger. "After all," you whisper so only he can hear, "something tells me I won't be impartial much longer."

[sharkdoughnutz]

my idea for Adam in my like little rewrite world

his whole aesthetic is inspired by 80s rock fashion, like Vaggie. i think i want to change Vaggie's name at some point because.. just why? though idk what i should change it to, time to look through baby name lists 😋

anyways, he's still the leader of the exterminators and is basically their dad because he created them or maybe he commissioned Sera to make them - created them just to kill demons, how fatherly!

i tried my best to incorporate both themes of rock and like maybe church pastor you could say? idk what to call it but like an angelic theme. but i think he turned out good! maybe i could add something else to him though?

he isnt the antagonist like how he is in canon, just more doesnt see the point in Charlie's plan and just blows it off really, giving her the least amount of help as possible; he enjoys the exterminations so thats why he doesnt involve himself more in the plan, i'd say killing isnt very holy, now is it hm.. 🤨

he definitely puts on shows for the citizens of heaven because of course he would, he's very flamboyant and lowkey an attention whore. but he always goes all out for his performances

[mysoulspiralbound]

drew the Omori party in outfits a little more fit for their adventures than there pj's

explanations, dnd classes, close up's, and Mari & Basil under the cut

Omori is the party's bard, despite looking and acting like a rogue. as both an artist and a poet, i thought bard suited him better. working with his monochrome color palette was a challenge, but i'm really happy with how it turned out. a fun fact is that me wondering where the heck omori was keeping a knife on his person (combined with my horror at him running around deep well in his socks) is what inspired this design series. i'd like to imagine that Mewo is his familiar.

Aubry is a barbarian based on her focus on strong attacks and her ability to channel her anger into large damage. i tried to keep the shaping and color of these designs mostly the same, though obviously more embellished, as she's literally running around barefoot in a nightgown in cannon. sturdy gloves and boots are an adventuring must, and i picked her meteor hammer cause i think it's her coolest weapon. i will never understand why Sweatheart's pillow somehow deals more damage.

Kel is a kind of trickster rouge — he's not great at stealth, but he's got the highest dex of the party and he's not bad at traps. he's got a lot of colors in his shirt which was kind of a challenge, and i really went back and forth on what player class to give him. his pouch is for additional amo, and his gloves are based on archers globes, since he's the only one who uses ranges weapons in the party. if i redoing this, i would might get rid of his undertunic and/or leg wraps. they were added for protection, but i feel they're mostly just cluttering up the design.

lastly, Hero is a paladin, based both on his healing abilities and his knight in shining armor energy. i picked pink as his accent color cause it contrasted best while still remaining in the omori pallet. his pj's were the hardest to match into a proper adventurer's outfit, so Hero's armor is largely independent of his canon design. the rose on his chest is a reference to his charming personality, the chivalry expected of knights, and his flower from basil's garden. it's also there to fill space, as his design was looking a little to plain otherwise. his kitchen knife is gold to match his little sparkles and to avoid having it blend too deeply into his armor.

Basil definitely has some strong "your princess is in another castle vibes, so that's what i went with for his outfit. he's got his classic flower crown, and i tried to put as much plant imagery as possible into his dress. i switched the princes gloves for gardening ones in his redesign, as well as changing how the dress layered so the lacing didn't run all the way down the garment. the frills on his sleeves and hem are designed to look like petals!

last but not least it's Mari! i've kind of got two versions of her, but i do very much like both. first, i drew her as a wizard, based a little bit on gandalf's habit of showing up, lending the party a helping hand before disappearing to do "important wizard stuff." she's important and helpful when she shows up, but ultimately, the party has to do things on their own. her spell component pouch and her staff both have her picnic basket theming added, as it's symbolic of her healing abilities and the safety she provides the party.

the other version i drew of her leaned more towards cleric based on her role as healer. she'd be a deeply religious figure, possibly having it be revealed later on that she's more powerful than the party knows. i incorporated her picnic pattern here as well, and kept the style of her shoes, since she is literally the only one of the main six who wears them in the dreamscape. like wizard!Mari, her necklace and the ribbon around her head are both callbacks to the ribbon tied around her neck in her original design.

[rory-butnot-gilmore]

Little Moments in Time

You and Sarah make dinner for Joel and Tommy before you leave for a business trip. The world then falls apart, and you find yourself separated from your family. 20 years later, a weird twist of events leads you back to the man you loved.

Pairing: joel x fem!reader

themes/warning: oh yeah, there is angst this time, death and violence, pain and sadness, with a little bit of fluff if you squint <3 also, there are some parts that i tried really hard to do extra research on so it wasn't like completely off trail from the canon storyline, but I couldn't find much.

part one

september 24th, 2003

You and Sarah both danced around the kitchen, while you made barbecue chicken and rice. It was supposed to be spaghetti night, but after your recent trip to the doctors and finding out you had celiac disease, gluten free options started to be incorporated. Joel and Sarah definitely didn't mind though, because both of them thought the things you cooked instead were great. Joel didn't even notice some of the differences in the things you made sometimes.

"So, what is it you're doing again? On your trip?" Sarah asked as she grabbed down a can of corn from the cabinet. You looked at it and made a mental note to make sure Joel went shopping for groceries.

"So now that I am an actual nurse, I am going to Chicago to help out with some younger college students somethings I know about nursing," You explained to Sarah, who smiled and nodded. She loved your job, and was always so curious about the things with it. Joel teased that Sarah would follow in your footsteps.

"When you get back, we are going shopping for my maid of honor dress right?" Sarah poured the corn into a small pot.

"Yes we are, are you excited?" You nudged her with your elbow, and she giggled before nodding.

Things had been official between both you and Joel since the week after your second date. You went everywhere with him and Sarah by then, all of her soccer games, every school recital, and every moment. By the fourth year of dating, you gave up the apartment life and moved in with them. Then last year, Joel finally proposed after dragging his feet for so long. You didn't mind the delay though, because life for the two of you already seemed so perfect.

"Oh damn it smells great in here!" Tommy exclaimed as he came through the door, he grinned at the two of you when he came into the kitchen.

"Hey, how was work?" You turned off the stove, and grabbed the plates that Sarah had already gotten down. Joel came in behind Tommy, and gave Sarah a quick kiss on the head. He wrapped his arms around your waist from behind, as you made Sarah a plate.

“It was shit, don’t let Tommy tell you any different, the bastard didn’t tell me how anyone the guys we have to work with are this time,” Joel laughed, “The plans are coming along though, and we should be able to start on it within the next day or two,”

“Well hopefully your string of good luck continues babe,” You kissed his cheek, and handed him Sarah’s plate, “Tommy you can come make a plate,”

“Thanks Y/n, you know I still don’t understand why Joel got to end up with you?” Tommy made his eight year old joke. Joel flipped him off and made his plate and made a plate for you.

“Hm, I mean if I remember correctly, you were too busy making out with one of my best friends?” Sarah laughed, covering her mouth to stop the water she had just drank from spraying out. She started coughing a little, but she was still laughing at your comeback.

“How is my dear old friend doing?” Tommy came behind Joel and grabbed his plate to start making it. You grabbed three beers out of the refrigerator for the Miller brothers, and yourself. Everyone sat down at the table together, and started talking about your days. Sarah talked about a test she passed. Tommy told an embarrassing story about Joel from the day. Joel squeezed your hand while you talked about your flight leaving in the morning. Tommy headed out a little bit after you cleaned up from dinner. You helped Sarah get her curls into a style that would help keep them from getting ruined during the night. Once she was all set, you and Joel started your night time routine.

Once you thought Joel was done with the shower, you climbed in. You sighed happily as the water rinsed over your skin. Before your hair was even completely wet, Joel climbed back into the shower. You rolled your eyes but turned to look at him. Joel was unapologetically looking you up and down, and pulled you against him.

“I figured I could rinse the grime off of me before I ambushed you,” Joel shrugged, and explained his reasoning for not just suggesting a shower together in the first place.

“Joel Miller, are you trying to seduce me before marriage?” You teased, and he shook his head.

“Mm, no, no I don’t think I would ever do such a thing?” Joel started to kiss your jaw and neck, his hands resting on your lower back, fingers just barely tracing the top of the curve of your ass.

“Sarah isn’t asleep yet, so this is holding off for right now,” You played with the hair at the nape of his neck, not really wanting the touches to stop. Joel groaned but still pulled back, smoothing your now wet hair down and out of your face.

“I don’t know how her or I are going to do without you for a whole five days?” Joel whispered, and kissed your forehead, “Sar’s cooking lessons better have been paying off, if she’s going to be cooking for me on my birthday,”

“She will do phenomenal, she wants to make you pancakes, I know you’re super stressed with work, but I left you a grocery list so you can make sure you make her dreams come true,”

“Isn’t it supposed to be my dreams coming true? It’s my birthday?” You glared at him, and started washing your hair. Joel swatted your hands away and helped you scrub the shampoo into your scalp.

“I’ll get the pancake mix, we will call you while eating our pancakes, you can sing me happy birthday while I do,” Joel teased, and helped get your hair rinsed out. You leaned your head back and he kissed your neck gently.

“Then when I get home, her and I go to pick out her dress, pick up my dress, and then we will be two weeks out from me marrying you, old man,” You wrapped your arms around him, and pecked his lips, “Cold feet?”

“I’m about to be thirty-six years old, and I’m marrying the most beautiful, smart, and loving woman I have ever met,” Joel’s voice was softer now, “The same woman who loves that awesome daughter of mine, plus she’s a bit younger than me so that totally boosts my ego,”

You raised an eyebrow and he laughed a little.

“My feet are as hot as they could be Y/n.”

september 25th, 2003

Joel drove you and Sarah to the airport in your car. Sarah teared up more the closer you got to the security. You were quick to pull her into a tight hug.

“Hey, it’s going to be okay, it’s only five days and I will be home,” You whispered, trying your hardest to fight back your own tears, “You can call me each day too, I won’t mind, I have my cell,”

“I love you mom.” Sarah blurted it out so fast, that both you and Joel were taken aback by it. You didn’t hesitate for too long though before you were holding her even tighter. Joel pulled both of you into a group hug, and everyone said their I love you’s. No one said goodbye, just reminders that you would be home soon. That this was only a temporary thing.

You didn’t let yourself fully cry until you were on the plane, and you cried until you landed. Sarah called you mom, for the first time in eight years, she called you mom. It made your heart swell ten times the size it already was. Sarah held such a special place in your heart, that was never a doubt. There was a certain kind of satisfaction knowing that you held the same spot in hers.

You got off the plane and took the cab to the hotel, that was where you first met the next person who would change the course of your life for the next twenty-years. She was twenty-four years old, and with her best friend. The two of them were laughing in the lobby of the hotel, but hers was the loudest. She was going to be your mentee during the trip, but in the end she was so much more.

“Oh!” She finally saw your name tag, and waved you down, “You’re Y/n! I’m Anna, I guess you’re in charge of me for this whole thing huh?”

“Anna, it’s great to meet you,” You shook her hand and then her friend’s.

“I’m Marlene, not here for the nursing stuff, just this annoying person right here.” Marlene nudged Anna, who had no problem nudging back.

Marlene went on her own adventure, while you and Anna went to the first activity. It was in the local hospital, and the senior nurses explained how the next five days would be. Anna was a jokester, and you knew that she was going to cause a bit of trouble. Still though, she was fun to be around. The first day went by really quick just with her jokes alone.

That night after a bar outing with Marlene, you and Anna were in your hotel room together. She was sitting in the chair that was to your desk, with her feet propped up on the bed you were sitting on. The two of you were talking about anything and everything. Just bonding over whatever you could find.

“Okay, so you’re only thirty, you’re about to be married and a step-mom?” Anna laughed, and you nodded with a grin on your face.

“You know, I don’t like the step part of it, but I do like the sound of mom,” You smiled, thinking about Sarah, “Joel, my fiancé, does nothing but tell me about how I saved them, but in reality they saved me more than they know,”

“I can’t even imagine where I will be in six years, at thirty, but it definitely doesn’t feel like I would be a mother.”

september 26th, 2003

You, Anna, and Marlene were all in your hotel room. The emergency broadcast was going off, and you were all watching everything unfold. When your cellphone started to ring, you answered it before the second ring went off. It was Sarah, and she was asking if you knew what was happening.

“I woke up and Dad isn’t here, and-” Sarah screamed a little, and the line went dead. Your entire body started to shake.

“Sarah?! Sarah, baby! Sarah!” You were yelling into the phone, hoping that her voice would come through the dial tone. You never got to hear her voice again though.

The next three days, were more torture than you could even imagine. The three of you were all escorted out of the hotel by military eventually, and made your way to a safe zone. It didn’t feel safe though, none of it did. You put Sarah, Joel, and Tommy on a name list. So that it could be broadcasted soon enough. Eventually you were all within a QZ. You waited everyday for any sign of the Millers, hoping they would eventually show up. It didn’t take long before you all started to catch onto the bullshit that was FEDRA, and that was when the Fireflies became a part of your life.

2009

You found the safe house, Marlene should have been there already. Then you heard the screams, and you ran around to the backside of the house. You went through the back door, and busted into a bedroom. Anna was on the floor, a baby with an umbilical cord still attached laying in front of her, and an infected dead off to the side. Anna was breathing heavy, and the baby was crying.

“You k-know how I said I couldn’t see my self being a mother at thirty?” Anna was breathing heavily as you rushed closer, she cut the umbilical cord with her own knife and started to tie it off, “Looks like I was wrong, but also right,”

She bent her leg out, and you saw the bite on her inner thigh. Your entire heart stopped and you dropped down to your knees. Anna was shaking a bit, but she picked up her baby anyways. The tiny infant calmed down looking at her mother.

“Anna, what are we going to do? I mean Marlene should be here soon, but was the baby? I mean?” You were stumbling over all your words. The girl who had become your family was dying, and there was nothing you could do.

“You are going to take Ellie, wait for Marlene downstairs, and I am going to ask you one last favor Y/n,” Anna whispered, “Make sure she’s loved, make sure she’s safe, and please kill me before I hurt you,”

“No, no, I’ll take her soon, I’ll go downstairs, but I can’t.. Marlene will be here soon, she needs to get to say goodbye Anna, and you h-have a little time, spend these last minutes with your daughter,” You sat against the wall next to Anna, watching her with the baby. She glared at you for a moment, before giving up and looking at Ellie.

“She’s so damn beautiful Y/n, and I will.. I will never get to see what she becomes,” Anna whispered, “If anyone asks, y-you know I cut the umbilical cord before I was bit? They would never let her live other wise,”

“If they ask, I was here the entire time.” You whispered, and laid your head on her shoulder.

2023

Every part of you wanted to kill Marlene, for dragging you back to Boston. After you knew Ellie was safe, you decided to set out and try and find whatever you could about the Millers. Any kind of sign of what happened to them. Now, fourteen years later you were back at your original QZ. After they ran their tests, and you lied and explained you were coming from the fallen QZ in Chicago, they let you inside. You showed up at the building Marlene had explained to you over the radio, and made your way inside. You quietly snuck your way in, your gun ready to shoot at any sign of trouble.

You slowly went up the stairs, and then heard a loud thud. When you made it to the top, you saw Marlene holding her side, with another woman standing next to her. There was a man and a woman with their backs turned to you, and a younger girl on the floor.. A girl who looked almost identical to her mother.

“Get your gun out of her face.” You snapped, and the man turned around. Then your entire heart fell down into your stomach even more than it was seeing Ellie.

He was standing there, and he was alive. Marlene was watching the both of you, waiting for the blow up. His eyes though, they stayed on you, and then trailed to the chain around your neck. Hanging off of it was a simple diamond ring, that he remembered clear as day picking out with his daughter. He looked older, seemed different, but yet you felt like home was standing only a few feet in front of you. You lowered your gun and glanced at Ellie, who was staring at you like she knew exactly who you were. In reality, she might have, she did have a picture of you that you slipped in with her stuff when you left her at the military school. It was your picture name tag from the convention you met her mom at.

“Y/n?” Ellie and Joel said your name at the same exact time, and for a moment it sounded like the world stood still.

next part

[venny-the-chubbyblack-writer]

Dabi:

• Dabi’s civilian partner rocks a sleek, all-black wardrobe adorned with silver spikes and chains.

• Their home is filled with the dark ambiance of candles, gothic art, and an impressive collection of metal vinyl records.

• Dabi surprises them with obscure band merch and shares an appreciation for the raw emotion in goth music.

2. Hawks:

• Hawks’ partner combines gothic elegance with a touch of avant-garde fashion, sporting feathered accessories and bold makeup.

• The couple frequents underground metal concerts, where Hawks can’t resist showcasing his partner’s unique style while headbanging to the music.

• They share a passion for late-night strolls through dimly lit streets, reveling in the mysterious atmosphere of the city.

3. Bakugo:

• Bakugo’s goth partner boasts a rebellious edge, with leather jackets, combat boots, and a collection of skull-themed accessories.

• They bond over their shared love for explosive, high-energy metal, often attending concerts and moshing together.

• Bakugo secretly enjoys their partner’s taste for dark humor and sharp wit, finding their banter both entertaining and endearing.

4. Kirishima:

• Kirishima’s goth lover incorporates red accents into their attire, adding a fiery twist to the traditional gothic aesthetic.

• The couple enjoys headbanging to heavy metal, but Kirishima introduces his partner to softer rock ballads, creating a balance in their music tastes.

• Kirishima admires the toughness and resilience of his gothic partner, finding their strength inspiring and complementing his own unyielding spirit.

5. Aizawa:

• Aizawa’s gothic partner embraces a minimalist yet edgy style, with monochromatic outfits and understated silver jewelry.

• They share a love for the darker side of literature and often spend evenings engrossed in gothic novels or watching classic horror films.

• Aizawa appreciates the calming influence of his partner’s presence amid his hectic hero life, finding solace in their shared affinity for the shadows.

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I tried my best 😁 hope you like it @crimsonredlotus btw sorry i didn't add music ill try and find one today

[alicefromwhichplanet]

Chapter 18: Professor Sumdac’s Secret

Finally written the next chapter of Heroic Nonsense!

We’ve come to an end of the slow burn and enter a process of love’s revelation. Optimus has become aware of his feelings. Megatron’s reaction is not obvious, but they’re not far from happiness. In this chapter I also want to discuss more topics hiding in the subtexts of tfa: Megatron’s imprisonment in Sumdac’s lab, Sari’s origin, the possible relationship between humans and Cybertronians— which include both decepticons and autobots. And of course, the central issue I want to discuss in this story: heroism, boundaries of responsibility, love based on neutral understanding rather than “prince saving the princess”. There are more to come in the following chapter. I will also post more about my worldbuilding. Also, the different characters of OP and Megs will be on a vivid display, like the title of this part say, they are: Cynic versus Dreamer.

I dedicate this chapter to spaceliquid. Her “House Divided” presents one of the best tfa megop sex scenes (when Megs opened up his vulnerability to OP, and OP tried to heal his trauma by giving him a wonderful sex). It inspires me to incorporate trauma/heal theme in sexy scenes. Absolutely glorious.

*I imagine spark is like a reproduction organ to Cybertronians. That explains why Optimus blushes when he imagines “Megatron’s spark”.

Warning: Implications of rape and prostitution.

Excerpt:

“But do not try to treat me like Blackarachnia, or the damsel in distress in your book full of heroic nonsense, Optimus. I don’t need you to save me. I don’t need anyone to save me… I am not a passive object. If someone hurt me, I shall avenge myself. Sumdac will pay for his acts. I’ll make him pay once I finish using him. This planet, and the organics on it are going to suffer for what they did to me.”

“As you have seen in the books they’ve written, they are capable of great thinking, literature, science and philosophy… they are no different from us Cybertronians. They are sentient beings. And you know… if you just crush them just because you’re bigger and physically stronger, just because ‘you can’ —you are actually no different from the suppressors you were rebelling against, the autobots… as you said, who has been treated your tribe as the lower class and wanted to wipe you out.”